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Lizabeth Davis ’23 helps students find their community at Salem State 

During her very first days on campus, Lizabeth Davis ’23 was eager to find her place at Salem State. An aspiring teacher and history major, Davis had witnessed the consequences of socioeconomic segregation on students in her hometown of Framingham, Mass. At college, she hoped to find like-minded peers and prepare for a meaningful career in education, where she could help remove barriers for students. 

She didn’t expect to find her place before classes even began. But she did, thanks to the First Year Day of Service. 

Coordinated by the Center for Civic Engagement and First Year Experience and made possible through the use of unrestricted support, the First Year Day of Service provides first-year students with an opportunity to spend a day giving back to the local community.  

“I volunteered at the food pantry at Haven from Hunger / Citizens Inn,” Davis recalls. “We helped give away food, picked up trash nearby, and sorted books in the upstairs attic. We also learned a lot about the important work their nonprofit does for the community.” 

Through volunteering, Davis got to know other students—including one she now counts among her best friends. The resulting sense of community and satisfaction in giving back inspired her to apply to become a Civic Engagement Fellow. She was accepted into the fellowship program, learning leadership skills and gaining experiences and connections she is confident will help her stand out on the job market.  

In the process, she’s also learned how best to employ her abiding passion for helping students overcome barriers.  

”A lot of the issues students face, like accessing resources and food insecurity, shouldn’t be their problems,” Davis says. “I’ve learned from the Center how to advocate for people without speaking for them. If I see an issue on campus that other students want to solve, I can be part of the solution by amplifying their voices and helping them push it through. It’s really empowering.” 

Davis takes pride in her ongoing leadership role as a Civic Engagement Fellow, though which she helps to facilitate service-learning opportunities for Salem State students throughout the academic year. 

“The Center for Civic Engagement helped me find my passion and my voice,” Davis explains.  “With programming that helps students build community, learn how to be leaders and make a difference in the world, the Center is at the heart of Salem State’s service-oriented mission. I’m grateful to be part of it.” 

Written by Rebecca Hains, PhD, professor, media and communication